Boxing Hall Of Fame Artist Richard T. Slone Immortalizes Cotto vs. Margarito With Landmark Painting

© Richard T. Slone

Multi-award winning artist Richard T. Slone has unveiled his latest work of art; a massive pre-fight canvas of boxing champions Miguel Cotto fighting Antonio Margarito just days before their epic battle in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Painterly lines and splashes make up the ferocious faces of Miguel Cotto, a two division world champion as he fires a solid left hook at two time welterweight king Antonio Margarito, who in turn, fires a long straight right with bad intentions.

It’s all on the line and these gladiators are fighting with their entire souls. Art fans are brought deep inside the ring with Slone’s latest masterpiece, simply titled ‘The Battle’.

Slone, the Official Artist of the International Boxing Hall of Fame, has envisioned the fight and depicted it in superb colors before the championship bout is set to take place Saturday, July 26, 2008 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

34 year old Slone, a former boxer guided by legend Smokin’ Joe Frazier, has become one of the world’s premier young artists with his work often gracing the program covers for boxing’s elite events.

The medley of colors and captured expression brings this canvas to life. The powerful flags of the Nations set the patriotic undertones for a fight of epic proportions. Slone’s choice of lines and color make this a bold statement and serve as a clear reminder why Slone was nominated for 2008 Sports Artist of the Year.

“Cotto vs. Margarito is gonna be a modern day classic,” said Slone. “It has all the ingredients of a superfight and I truly can’t pick a winner. It is gonna be a war and both men are fighting with so much pride and that’s what I tried to convey in my painting, heart and soul.”

The pride Slone speaks of is nationalistic, as Cotto hails from Puerto Rico and Margarito from Mexico – a fierce rivalry amongst prizefighters.

Slone doesn’t let this pride escape on the canvas as both fighter’s flags are rendered as background in the painting, which art critic Victoria Goldstein describes as a masterpiece.

“Slone is pushing the limits all the time,” said Goldstein. “His work intrigues and pleases – the expressions and emotions he captured in this particular painting are exceptional and shows he’s maturing as an artist and taking risks with colors, the journey is exciting from the art worlds perspective.”

Slone’s original painting will be on display at the Memorabilia Museum at the Mandalay Bay Casino and Resort during fight week. Slone has a permanent exhibit at the Museum where many of his originals and prints are sold.

“This is an exciting fight, it gets no bigger,” said Slone. “I wanted to express the excitement through my art and I hope the fans enjoy my pre-fight work.”

Slone’s artwork is becoming a staple at high profile events around the globe. Collectors of his art range from celebrity clients and high-roller gamblers to college kids, who collect Slone designed apparel. Slone is best known for his vividly colored images that capture detailed expression and motion. Considered to be a leader in the new generation of sports artists, Slone follows a long tradition of artists who have painting boxing such as George Bellows, Thomas Eakins and in more recent decades, LeRoy Neiman.

Richard T. Slone has been hailed by the media as the next great artist. His work is widely collected by art collectors and high-society. Owners of his originals include Donald Trump, Nelson Mandela, Hugh Hefner and Muhammad Ali. He is the official artist of the International Boxing Hall of Fame, an official artist of the UFC and at only 34 years of age, is one of the most accomplished emerging artists in the world. Earlier this year, National Geographic came to an agreement to publish his work over the next ten years. He is nominated for Sports Artist of the Year 2008.